Leaders of the Communist Party of China have gathered in Beijing to mark the 80th anniversary of the Long March victory. In 1936, the Party's Red Army completed a 12,000-kilometer trek through the country, over harsh terrain and surviving numerous ambushes by the ruling Kuomintang. They would eventually set up a base in Shaanxi province from where they planned a revolution. The CPC Central Committee's General Secretary Xi Jinping called on the Chinese people to carry on the spirit of the Long March.

China holds a convention to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Long March at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, on Friday, October 21, 2016. [Photo: Xinhua]

Bombs and guns in their rear. Swamps and snowy mountains ahead of them. 80 years on, those who participated in the Long March are still being remembered by the Communist Party of China. Party leaders gathered in Beijing's Great Hall of the People to honor the communist spirit which carried them through the years of hardship.

General Secretary Xi Jinping called on the Chinese people to remain faithful to the socialist path which the country has been following for decades.

"Today, we must believe that the socialist path with Chinese characteristics is necessary for Chinese people to pursue a better life. And it is the right path for the Communist Party of China to rejuvenate the nation. Socialism with Chinese characteristics is an advanced system, which ensures China's modern development," Xi said.

Xi added that the Long March shows the requirement for a strong national army. He called for deep reform, and for China to build a world class military.

"To better carry on the Long March spirit, we must fortify our national defense, and build a powerful army which matches China's international status and meets the needs of our national security and social development," Xi said.

The General Secretary also stressed upon China's anti-corruption campaign. He said the party must have strict governance to carry on the spirit of the Long March.

"We must unwaveringly build a clean party and fight against corruption. We need to purify and reform our party, to improve its ability to lead the country, to prevent corruption and to withstand risks. The Communist Party of China should always be the backbone of leading the country along the socialist path," Xi said.

Xi said China is now on a new "Long March" to build a strong and prosperous country. And he vowed, that in this quest, the CPC would stay close to the people of China, just like the long marchers aspired to 80 years ago.